The platelet-activating factor receptor (PAF-R) is a G-protein coupled receptor which binds platelet-activating factor.[5][6] It is encoded in the human by the PTAFR gene.
The PAF receptor shows structural characteristics of the rhodopsin (MIM 180380) gene family and binds platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF is a phospholipid (1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) that has been implicated as a mediator in diverse pathologic processes, such as allergy, asthma, septic shock, arterial thrombosis, and inflammatory processes.[supplied by OMIM][7] Its pathogenetic role in chronic kidney failure has also been reported recently.[8]